# NTSB LAX98LA041: Rans S91, N9291T, Phoenix, AZ, November 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1997, 11:02 local (18:02 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.489196, -111.919265 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4892&lon=-111.9193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30000 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30000/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin during the forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fuel system,vent - blocked(partial) - maintenance,installation, owner/builder - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The aircraft was on its initial test flight following construction and certification. Following takeoff, the pilot flew for nearly an hour while exploring the handling qualities of the aircraft. After returning to the airport, the pilot made a pass over the airstrip to check controllability in the landing configuration. In his statement he reported that in initiating the missed approach he 'applied full power and pulled to 55 IAS and 2.5G's at 300 feet agl . . .(then) I pushed over and reduced to 5000 rpm.' At this point, the pilot noticed a loss of rpm, followed 5 seconds later by a complete loss of engine power. He turned toward a landing site, and at 10 feet agl started to flare for touchdown. The pilot stated that the airplane was not flying and he had no control of the aircraft. The aircraft touched down hard on a dirt road. The pilot reported that the engine was free to rotate, with no evidence of internal failure. He believes the loss of power was due to a fuel system vent blockage. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 1997, at 1102 hours mountain standard time, a Rans S91 experimental airplane, N9291T, collided with a dirt road following a loss of engine power at Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot/builder and was on its initial test flight following construction and certification. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot received minor injuries. The airplane departed Pinnacle Peak landing strip at 1002 for a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Following takeoff, the pilot flew for nearly an hour while exploring the handling qualities of the aircraft. After returning to the airport, the pilot made a pass over the airstrip to check controllability in the landing configuration. In his statement he reported that in initiating the missed approach he "applied full power and pulled to 55 IAS and 2.5G's at 300 feet agl . . .(then) I pushed over and reduced to 5000 rpm." At this point, the pilot noticed a loss of rpm, followed 5 seconds later by a complete loss of engine power. He turned toward a landing site, and at 10 feet agl started to flare for touchdown. The pilot stated that the airplane was not flying and he had no control of the aircraft. The aircraft touched down hard on the road. The pilot reported that the engine was free to rotate, with no evidence of internal failure. He believes the loss of power was due to a fuel system vent blockage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9291T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9291T-2001-03-01), registration cancelled 2001-03-01, S/N 0695139 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rans S91 - Registry model: [Davis Philip K RANS S-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-philip-k-rans-s-9) (registry code 05601L8) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0695139 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Rotax 503SC 47 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phillip Keith Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1997, 1 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 441 total, 348 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SDL, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19971122034299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971122034299A), Nov 22, 1997: Amtr RANSS9, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided onto road after loss of engine power. (From .4) the aircraft was on its initial test flight following construction and certification.… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.